Eye on the World

Syrian government holds half of Eastern Ghouta
The UN has reported that forces loyal to the Syrian government have taken control of more than half of Eastern Ghouta, the largest surviving rebel enclave, near the capital of Damascus. The government is reportedly moving further in, with civilians fleeing occupied villages to Douma, the largest town in the enclave. Aerial bombs have reportedly killed at least 20 people in the government troops’ latest attempt to move in further. Although the UN was permitted to send a relief envoy to the city, where over 850 people have been reported to be killed since an attack beginning in February from government bombings — including many children — the envoy was only able to partially unload, as shells began to fall as they were in the middle of administering relief.

Millions strike in Spain
Women in Spain celebrated International Women’s Day by protesting the gender wage gap. Over five million women joined the 24-hour strike, rallying around the cry, “If we stop, the world stops.” The strike has been backed by 10 unions and has had vocal support by some of Spain’s top women politicians, who urged women to stop working, to spend no money and to refrain from any domestic chores. While two of the five women ministers in Spain said they would work longer hours to demonstrate the capacity of women, popular female broadcasters were notably absent from airwaves and TV. Protests have affected travel in Spain, limiting availability of flights and public transportation. The country has held over 200 protests in both metropolitan and rural areas and has been met with mostly positive support. The gender wage gap in Spain is currently 13 percent in the public sector and 19 percent in the private.

Human bones found in Nikumaroro most likely the remains of Amelia Earhart
A new study published in “Forensic Anthropology” and conducted by Dr. Richard Jantz suggests that the 13 human bones found by an expedition exploring the pacific island of Nikumaroro in 1940 are likely to have been the remains of world-renowned pilot Amelia Earhart. The article claims the bones prove that Earhart died an island castaway. Along with the bones, the expedition discovered additional artifacts, including navigational tools likely used by Earhart’s navigator, Fred Noonan, and a bottle of Benedictine, an herbal liqueur Earhart was known to carry with her. When the remains were initially discovered in 1940 they were sent to Fiji to be analyzed by a medical professional, who concluded they belonged to a male. However, scientists of today have determined that the measurements match Earhart’s. The study concludes, “Until definitive evidence is presented that the remains are not those of Amelia Earhart, the most convincing argument is that they are hers.”